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6.2 Edit groups

The first task in building an Ecopath model is to define the model’s functional groups (called Groups or Boxes). Groups are species or collections of species that share similar population dynamics and ecological function. See Defining the system for more on how to define groups.

To add and edit functional groups to an Ecopath model, choose the Edit groups... option on the Ecopath menu on the Menu bar. This will open a form where you can add, delete, name and sort the functional groups in your model.

To close the Edit groups form and implement changes, click the OK button. To exit without implementing any changes, click the Cancel button.

After adding model groups on the Edit groups form, you can proceed to the Input data forms to enter parameters for your groups (i.e., Basic input, Diet composition, Detritus fate and Other production forms, accessible in the Navigator window under the Input data node).

Add/insert groups

Add groups using the Insert button. In a brand new model, groups will be inserted above the detritus group. In an existing model, select the row where you would like a new group inserted and click Insert. A new group will be added above the selected row. If no row is selected, new groups will be added above the first row. Note that when you add a new group, its status in the Status column will be given as “To create”. Clicking the OK button closes the Edit groups form and implements the group insertion.

Group name

New groups are given the default name “New Group”. Edit group names by clicking once in the appropriate Group name cell. The box will be highlighted and you can start typing. To edit an existing group name, click on the name and the name will be highlighted. You can then edit the name.

Important note: Group names should be unique. If you have multi-stanza groups in your model (see section below), each stanza should have a unique group name (e.g., Small juvenile cod; Large juvenile cod; Adult cod). The name of the multi-stanza group as a whole (e.g., Cod) is entered under Multi-stanza group name. See section on multi-stanza groups below for more detail on defining multi-stanza groups.

Define group type

You must define whether a functional group is a primary producer, consumer or detritus by checking the appropriate box.

  • Primary producers (producers) obtain all of their energy from photosynthesis. By definition, their trophic level is 1.
  • Consumers obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. They have trophic level > 1.
  • Detritus groups are dead. Note that you must enter at least one detritus group and you can have as many detritus groups as you like. Note also that detritus groups must be placed after all living groups (i.e., they must have a higher group number than the last living group). You must also specify where the surplus detritus (left over after feeding by detritivores) will go using the Detritus fate form.

Sort groups

You can change the order of groups in the model using the Up and Down buttons. Clicking the OK button closes the Edit groups form and implements the new group numbers.

Delete groups

Groups can be deleted from the model using the Delete button. Models selected for deletion will be marked “To delete” in the Status column. Clicking the OK button closes the Edit groups form and implements the group deletion.

Note: if you change your mind about deleting the fleet before you close the form, click Preserve and the status will be returned to normal.

WARNING: Group deletion cannot be undone. When you click the OK button, you will receive a warning message for each group to be deleted. Click Yes to continue with group deletion or No if you do not wish to delete the group. The Edit groups form will close.

Defining multi-stanza groups

The Edit groups form allows you to create groups representing life history stages or stanzas for species that have complex trophic ontogeny (see introductory material on multi-stanza groups? (Chapter 2 of the EwE6 User Guide) for more information on how these groups are modelled in Ecopath, Ecosim and Ecospace).

To define a multi-stanza group:

Add the stanzas as separate groups using the Insert button. Note that each stanza must have a unique group name (e.g., Juvenile cod; Adult cod).

Name the multi-stanza group as a whole (e.g., Cod) in the Multi-stanza group name column. Once you have created a multi-stanza group name, it is added to a pull-down menu in the Multi-stanza group name column.

Enter the start-age of each stanza in months in the Stanza age (in months) column. Note that your youngest stanza must have a start-age of zero months. If you do not have an age-zero stanza, Ecopath will set the youngest stanza’s start age to zero (a message box will inform you of this).

IMPORTANT. After defining a multi-stanza group(s), you must set the values of additional parameters for the group(s). See Edit multi-stanza groups? for details.

Colours

Click Colour scale to set a graded scale of colours for the model groups. Click Colours alternating for a set of alternating colours (light, dark and hue). You can change the colours for individual groups by clicking in the colour square. You can then select from a palette of colours.